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"Thank you very much, Madam Vice Chair of our Caucus.  Thank you to Karen Bass and Lucille Roybal-Allard for bringing us together here.  Thank you to my colleagues.  I accept your compliment that I worked to pass the Affordable Care Act – but it would not have been possible without the courage and the ideas of so many people gathered on this stage.  Right, Maxine?

"Paul and I were deeply saddened by the news of Kevin Starr's passing.  Kevin was an extraordinary man and a dear friend, whose brilliance and infectious love of literature, learning and California inspired everyone who knew him.  Our state has lost one of its great treasures.

"When Kevin was City Librarian of San Francisco, it was my privilege to serve on the Library Commission as an appointee of Mayor Joseph Alioto.  It was a great honor to work with Kevin as he set about strengthening our library system.  Honoring the democratic ideals at the heart of the library, Kevin took the Commission's meetings into the neighborhoods we served.

"The Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. dedicated his life to dismantling discrimination, empowering communities, and ensuring that all Americans have equal access to good-paying jobs.  As America celebrates Dr. King's birthday, people in small towns and big cities across our nation gather to honor Dr. King's memory by participating in community service events.

Leader Pelosi.  Good morning.  A little delay here.  Thank you for your patience.

As you probably know, on the Floor of the House right now, the Republicans are putting forth their reconciliation bill, which, according to their own Members, skyrockets the deficit.  We're not allowed a substitute, but we have a Motion to Recommit that talks about job creation and infrastructure.  And it talks about middle income tax relief.  That's the debate that we're engaged in now.

"Today is a triumphant day for the City College of San Francisco: the cloud of accreditation and uncertainty has been lifted.  CCSF's academic credentials have never been in doubt, and with this news the doors of this bedrock institution will remain open for thousands of San Franciscans looking to pursue a higher education, job training and lifetime learning.

"House Republicans' agenda is clear: intimidate and silence anyone who would raise questions about the President-elect's vast conflicts of interest.  Instead of honoring his committee's responsibility to hold the Administration accountable, Chairman Chaffetz has appointed himself President-elect Trump's chief strongman and enforcer.

"With our new Vice Ranking Members, House Democrats are harnessing the great and dynamic leadership of our Members at every level.  These new positions will provide more representation of the diversity of our Caucus, and strengthen our fight on behalf of hard-working Americans.